the dust-第25章

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upy　their　minds？　　Little　but　the　idle　emotions　they　manufacture　and　spread　foglike　over　their　true　natures　to　hide　the　barrenness；　the　monotony。　They　fool　with　phrases　about　art　or　love　or　religion　or　charityfor　none　of　those　things　can　be　vivid　realities　to　those　who　are　swathed　and　stupefied　in　a　luxury　they　have　not　to　take　the　least　thought　to　provide　for　themselves。　　Like　all　those　women；　Josephine　fancied　herself　complexfancied　she　was　a　person　of　variety　and　of　depth　because　she　repeated　with　a　slight　change　of　wording　the　things　she　read　in　clever　books　or　heard　from　clever　men。　　There　seemed　to　Norman　to　be　small　enough　originality；　personality；　to　the　ordinary　man　of　the　comfortable　class；　but　there　was　some；　because　his　necessity　of　struggling　with　and　against　his　fellow　men　in　the　several　arenas　of　active　life　compelled　him　to　be　at　least　a　little　of　a　person。　　In　the　women　there　seemed　nothing　at　allnot　even　in　Josephine。　　When　he　listened　to　her；　when　he　thought　of　her；　nowhe　was　calmly　critical。　　He　judged　her　as　a　human　specimenjudged　much　as　would　have　old　Newton　Hallowell　to　whom　the　whole　world　was　mere　laboratory。

She　bored　him　nowand　he　made　no　effort　beyond　bare　politeness　to　conceal　the　fact　from　her。　　The　situation　was　saved　from　becoming　intolerable　by　that　universal　saver　of　intolerable　situations；　vanity。　　She　had　the　ordinary　human　vanity。　　In　addition；　she　had　the　peculiar　vanity　of　woman；　the　creation　of　man's　flatteries　lavished　upon　the　sex　he　alternately　serves　and　spurns。　　In　further　addition；　she　had　the　vanity　of　her　classthe　comfortable　class　that　feels　superior　to　the　mass　of　mankind　in　fortune；　in　intellect；　in　taste；　in　everything　desirable。　　Heaped　upon　all　these　vanities　was　her　vanity　of　high　social　rankand　atop　the　whole　her　vanity　of　great　wealth。　　None　but　the　sweetest　and　simplest　of　human　beings　can　stand　up　and　remain　human　under　such　a　weight　as　this。　　If　we　are　at　all　fair　in　our　judgments　of　our　fellow　men；　we　marvel　that　the　triumphant　classespecially　the　women；　whose　point　of　view　is　never　corrected　by　the　experiences　of　practical　lifeare　not　more　arrogant；　more　absurdly　forgetful　of　the　oneness　and　the　feebleness　of　humanity。

Josephine　was　by　nature　one　of　the　sweet　and　simple　souls。　　And　her　love　for　Norman；　after　the　habit　of　genuine　love；　had　destroyed　all　the　instinct　of　coquetry。　The　womanor；　the　manhas　to　be　indeed　interesting；　indeed　an　individuality；　to　remain　interesting　when　sincerely　in　love；　and　so　elevated　above　the　petty　but　potent　sex　trickeries。　　Josephine；　deeply　in　love；　was　showing　herself　to　Norman　in　her　undisguised　natural　sweet　simplicityand　monotony。　　But；　while　men　admire　and　reverence　a　sweet　and　simple　feminine　soul　and　love　her　in　plays　and　between　the　covers　of　a　book　and　when　she　is　talking　highfaluting　abstractions　of　moralityand　wax　wroth　with　any　other　man　who　ignores　or　neglects　herthey　do　not　in　their　own　persons　become　infatuated　with　her。　　Passion　is　too　much　given　to　moods　for　that；　it　has　a　morbid　craving　for　variety；　for　the　mysterious　and　the　baffling。

The　only　thing　that　saves　the　race　from　ruin　through　passion　is　the　rarity　of　those　by　nature　or　by　art　expert　in　using　it。　　Norman　felt　that　he　was　paying　the　penalty　for　his　persistent　search　for　this　rarity；　one　of　the　basest　tricks　of　destiny　upon　man　is　to　give　him　what　he　wantswealth；　or　fame；　or　power；　or　the　wom…　an　who　enslaves。　　Norman　felt　that　destiny　had　suddenly　revealed　its　resolve　to　destroy　him　by　giving　him　not　one　of　the　things　he　wanted；　but　all。

The　marriage　was　not　quite　two　weeks　away。　　About　the　time　that　the　ordinary　plausible　excuses　for　Norman's　neglect；　his　abstraction；　his　seeming　indifference　were　exhausted；　Josephine's　vanity　came　forward　to　explain　everything　to　her；　all　to　her　own　glory。　　As　the　elysian　hour　approachedso　vanity　assured　herthe　man　who　loved　her　as　her　complex　soul　and　many　physical　and　social　advantages　deserved　was　overcome　with　that　shy　terror　of　which　she　had　read　in　the　poets　and　the　novelists。　　A　large　income；　fashionable　attire　and　surroundings；　a　carriage　and　a　maidthese　things　gave　a　woman　a　subtle　and　superior　intellect　and　soul。　　How？　Why？　　No　one　knew。　　But　everyone　admitted；　indeed　saw；　the　truth。　　Further；　these　beingsthese　great　ladiesaccording　to　all　the　accredited　poets；　novelists；　and　other　final　authorities　upon　lifealways　inspired　the　most　awed　and　worshipful　and　diffident　feelings　in　their　lovers。　　Therefore；　shethe　great　ladywas　getting　but　her　due。　　She　would　have　liked　something　else　something　common　and　humanmuch　better。　　But；　having　always　led　her　life　as　the　conventions　dictated；　never　as　the　common　human　heart　yearned；　she　had　no　keen　sense　of　dissatisfaction　to　rouse　her　to　revolt　and　to　question。　　Also；　she　was　breathlessly　busy　with　trousseau　and　the　other　arrangements　for　the　grand　wedding。

One　afternoon　she　telephoned　Norman　asking　him　to　come　on　his　way　home　that　evening。　　〃I　particularly　wish　to　see　you；〃　she　said。　　He　thought　her　voice　sounded　rather　queer；　but　he　did　not　take　sufficient　interest　to　speculate　about　it。　　When　he　was　with　her　in　the　small　drawing　room　on　the　second　floor；　he　noted　that　her　eyes　were　regarding　him　strangely。　　He　thought　he　understood　why　when　she　said：

〃Aren't　you　going　to　kiss　me；　Fred？〃

He　put　on　his　good…natured；　slightly　mocking　smile。　〃I　thought　you　were　too　busy　for　that　sort　of　thing　nowadays。〃　　And　he　bent　and　kissed　her　waiting　lips。　Then　he　lit　a　cigarette　and　seated　himself　on　the　sofa　beside　herthe　sofa　at　right　angles　to　the　open　fire。　〃Well？〃　he　said。

She　gazed　into　the　fire　for　full　a　minute　before　she　said　in　a　voice　of　constraint；　〃What　became　of　that　that　girlthe　Miss　Hallowell〃

She　broke　off　abruptly。　　There　was　a　pause　choked　with　those　dizzy　pulsations　that　fill　moments　of　silence　and　strain。　　Then　with　a　sob　she　flung　herself　against　his　breast　and　buried　her　face　in　his　shoulder。　　〃Don't　answer！〃　she　cried。　　〃I'm　ashamed　of　myself。　　I'm　ashamedashamed！〃

He　put　his　arm　about　her　shoulders。　　〃But　why　shouldn't　I　answer？〃　said　he　in　the　kindly　gentle　tone　we　can　all　assume　when　a　matter　that　agitates　some　one　else　is　wholly　indifferent　to　us。

〃Becauseit　was　aa　trap；〃　she　answered　hysterically。　　〃Fredthere　was　a　man　here　this　afternoon　a　man　named　Tetlow。　　He　got　in　only　because　he　said　he　came　from　you。〃

Norman　laughed　quietly。　　〃Poor　Tetlow！〃　he　said。　〃He　used　to　be　your　head　clerkdidn't　he？〃

〃And　one　of　my　few　friends。〃

〃He's　not　your　friend；　Fred！〃　she　cried；　sitting　upright　and　speaking　with　energy　that　quivered　in　her　voice　and　flashed　in　her　fine　brown　eyes。　　〃He's　your　enemya　snake　in　the　grassa　malicious；　poisonous〃

Norman's　quiet；　even　laugh　interrupted。　　〃Oh；　no；〃　said　he。　　〃Tetlow's　a　good　fellow。　　Anything　he　said　would　be　what　he　honestly　believedanything　he　said　about　me。〃

〃He　pleaded　that　he　was　doing　it　for　your　good；〃　she　went　on　with　scorn。　　〃They　always　dolike　the　people　that　write　father　wicked　anonymous　letters。　　He　this　man　Tetlowhe　said　he　wanted　me　for　the　sake　of　my　love　for　you　to　save　you　from　yourself。〃

Norman　glanced　at　her　with　amused　eyes。　　〃Well；　why　don't　you？　　But　then　you　ARE　doing　it。　　You're　marrying　me；　aren't　you？〃

Again　she　put　her　head　upon　his　shoulder。　　〃Indeed　I　am！〃　she　cried。　　〃And　I'd　be　a　poor　sort　if　I

let　a　sneak　shake　my　confidence　in　you。〃

He　patted　her　shoulder；　and　there　was　laughter　in　his　voice　as　he　said；　〃But　I　never　professed　to　be　trustworthy。〃

〃Oh；　I　know　you　USED　to〃　　She　laughed　and　kissed　his　cheek。　　〃Never　mind。　　I've　heard。　　But　while　you　were　engaged　to　meabout　to　marry　mewhy；　you　simply　couldn't！〃

〃Couldn't　what？〃　inquired　he。

〃Do　you　want　me　to　tell　you　what　he　said？〃

〃I　think　I　know。　　But　do　as　you　like。〃

〃Maybe　I'd　better　tell　you。　　I　seem　to　want　to　get　rid　of　it。〃

〃Then　do。〃

〃It　was　about　that　girl。〃　　She　sat　upright　and　looked　at　him　for　encouragement。　　He　nodded。　　She　went　on：　　〃He　said　that　if　I　asked　you；　you　would　not　dare　deny　you　wereweregiving　her　money。〃

〃Her　and　her　father。〃

She　shrank；　startled。　　Then　her　lips　smiled　bravely；　and　she　said；　〃He　didn't　say　anything　about　her　father。〃

〃No。　　That　was　my　own　correction　of　his　story。〃

She　looked　at　him　with　wonder　and　doubt。　　〃You　aren'tDOING　it；　Fred！〃　she　exclaimed。

He　nodded。　　〃Yes；　indeed。〃　　He　looked　at　her　placidly。　　〃Why　not？〃

〃You　are　SUPPORTING　her？〃

〃If　you　wish　to　put　it　that　way；〃　said　he　carelessly。　　〃My　money　pays　the　billsall　the　bills。〃

〃Fred！〃

〃Yes？　　What　is　it？　　Why　are　you　so　agitated？〃　He　studied　her　face；　then　rose；　took　a　final　pull　at　the　cigarette；　tossed　it　in　the　fire。　　〃I　must　be　going；〃　he　said；　in　a　cool；　even　voice。

She　started　up　in　a　panic。　　〃Fred！　　What　do　you　mean？　　Are　you　angry　with　me？〃

His　calm　regard　met　hers。　　〃I　do　not　likethis　sort　of　thing；〃　he　said。

〃But　surely　you'll　explain。　　Surely　I'm　entitled　to　an　explanation。〃

〃Why　should　I　explain？　　You　have　evidently　found　an　explanation　that　satisfies　you。〃　　He　drew　himself　up　in　a　quiet　gesture　of　haughtiness。　　〃Besides；　it　has　never　been　my　habit　to　allow　myself　to　be　questioned　or　to　explain　myself。〃

Her　eyes　widened　with　terror。　　〃Fred！〃　she　gasped。　　〃What　DO　you　mean？〃

〃Precisely　what　I　say；〃　said　he；　in　the　same　cool；　inevitable　way。　　〃A　man　came　to　you　with　a　story　about　me。　　You　listened。　　A　sufficient　answer　to　the　story　was　that　I　am　marrying　you。　　That　answer　apparently　does　not　content　you。　　Very　well。　　I　shall　make　no　other。〃

She　gazed　at　him　uncertainly。　　She　felt　him　going　and　going　finally。　　She　seized　him　with　desperate　fingers；　cried：　　〃I　AM　content。　　Oh；　Freddon't　frighten　me　this　way！〃

He　smiled　satirically。　　〃Are　you　afraid　of　the　scandalbecause　everything　for　the　wedding　has　gone　so　far？〃

〃How　can　you　think　that！〃　cried　sheperhaps　too　vigorously；　a　woman　would　have　thought。

〃What　else　is　there　for　me　to　think？　　You　certainly　haven't　shown　any　consideration　for　me。〃

〃But　you　told　me　yourself　that　you　were　false　to　me。〃

〃Really？　　When？〃

She　forgot　her　fear　in　a　gush　of　rage　rising　from　sudden　realization　of　what　she　was　doingof　how　leniently　and　weakly　and　without　pride　she　was　dealing　with　this　man。　　〃Didn't　you　admit〃

〃Pardon　me；〃　said　he；　and　his　manner　might　well　have　calmed　the　wildest　tempest　of　anger。　　〃I　did　not　admit。　　I　never　admit。　　I　leave　that　to　people　of　the　sort　who　explain　and　excuse　and　apologize。　　I　simply　told　you　I　was　paying　the　expenses　of　a　family　named　Hallowell。〃

〃But　WHY　should　you　do　it；　Fred？〃

His　smile　was　gently　satirical。　　〃I　thought　Tetlow　told　you　why。〃

〃I　don't　believe　him！〃

〃Then　why　this　excitement？〃

One　could　understand　how　the　opposition　witnesses　dreaded　facing　him。　　〃I　don't　know　just　why；〃　she　stammered。　　〃It　seemed　to　me　you　were　admitting　I　mean；　you　were　confirming　what　that　man　accused　you　of。〃

〃And　of　what　did　he　accuse　me？　　I　might　say；　of　what　do　YOU　accuse　me？〃　　When　she　remained　silent　he　went　on：　　〃I　am　trying　to　be　reasonable；　Josephine。　I　am　trying　to　keep　my　temper。〃

The　look　in　her　eyesthe　fear；　the　timiditywas　a　startling　revelation　of　characterof　the　cowardice　with　which　love　undermines　the　strongest　nature。　　〃I　kn